Old wood is knot like the new wood
For now, we will avoid the discussion of whether they really don’t build them like they used to. We are going to look at the question, “Is the old wood from 100 years ago different than today’s wood?”, and if so,”Is it better?”.
Is today’s lumber different?
The short answer is yes, it is. Let’s not think about the lucky people who used cypress and oak to build their houses. The two big differences would be the tightness of the growth rings and the development of chemicals in the wood, like cypressine.
It’s even more different from 200-300 years ago. In the early days of building homes in the United States, lumber was plentiful and convenient to use. People used to build houses with lumber that was harvested within just a few miles of their house. The country was covered in old-growth forests full of high-quality lumber. Due to the ease of access in that time, homes were built with the closest available products. This meant some houses were framed with lumber that today we would use to make high-end furniture.
As demand grew with a growing population, old trees were becoming more scarce, and forestry had to change. We could no longer just cut down trees; we had to start growing them.
What made the old-growth lumber better?
The older trees, which had many decades to grow, developed tight growth rings. Over time, the trees became denser. This results in a harder board of the same dimensions and increased stability. A 2×4 with only 3-6 growth rings will be more prone to warp and move more with humidity changes than one with 10-20 growth rings. This means the old lumber was harder, heavier, and more stable. As trees grow older, they accumulate chemicals like tannins and cypressene in their wood. These chemicals help the wood become more resistant to rot and insect damage.
Is our modern lumber better in any way?
Two things are superior in modern lumber. The first reason is sustainability; gone are the days of us just cutting down forests for lumber to frame our houses. Along the way, we realized we needed to start planting new trees and managing the forests. Without sustainable practices, we would run out of wood. We do a far better job caring for and managing our forest now.
The second is consistency. Lumber sizing and grading standards have made it easier to plan and build homes. You don’t need to use the same sawmill for all your framing lumber to match the house.
We will likely never return to buildings with 100-300 year-old trees. Today, we can build and do things we couldn’t before thanks to modern engineered lumber products.
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If you’re not sure or have some questions, we’re here to help. We’ll give you a free inspection and honest feedback, and walk you through the options so you can make an informed decision for your home and family.
